Many believe home staging is an essential part of the home selling process. However, when homeowners try to stage themselves, they often miss the mark. The most important part of staging a space is to appeal to the widest variety of buyer personalities as possible! This means de-personalizing the space and sticking to a neutral palette.
Most people don't know where to start when it comes to staging their home. Do you paint? Buy decor? Take down frames? You want to stage it properly to be sure that your home won't sit on the market for a long period of time or require a price reduction. You need to make the best possible first impression - which is typically done through online photos.
To be sure you're staging properly, it's important to keep up with home staging and design trends. You want to be careful not to get too trendy, however. Here are some dos an don'ts for staging your home to create a positive first impression:
DOS:
Light Up Your Space - Good Lighting is KEY!
Lighting can make a small room feel so much bigger. Lighting can also help create whatever aesthetic you're going for. You can use white lighting in the kitchen to brighten it up, however, use a warmer bulb in your bedroom to create a calming atmosphere. All of your light fixtures should be modern and up-to-date, whether attached to the ceiling, walls, or they're freestanding. You don't want your home to feel dated due to the light fixture, which can often be the focal point of a space. Don't be scared to layer fixtures, either! Mix ceiling lamps with table or floor lamps to even out the lighting.
De-Personalize and Remove any Personal Items
Family photos, personal items or decor pieces, seasonal or holiday decor, awards or any religious items should all be removed from your home. You want a buyer to walk in and envision themselves living in the space. You don't want them to see your photos and be reminded that someone else is living there. Remove clutter from all areas of your home, especially the bedrooms, kitchen and bathrooms.
Use Your Judgement for Unique Pieces
If you do have a special item that brings character to the space, and isn't personalized, keep it there! You may have a buyer that connects with your unique piece and could create an emotional attachment to the space.
DON'TS:
Cut Costs or Use Cheap / Generic Decor
Put a little bit of effort into staging your home! Don't just buy cheap, plastic decor that you'll get rid of after. Have fresh flowers right when a buyer walks in for an open house or showing. Spend the extra money to hire a professional cleaning company to ensure your home is sparkling. Re-organize your furniture, or even put some pieces in storage, to make sure you aren't overcrowding or ruining a smooth flow of traffic. Do any minor touch ups that you think won't matter. They could end up getting you a return on your investment! Your buyer will appreciate your effort.
Don't Go Crazy Mixing Metal
Do be intentional with the metal pieces you choose to avoid looking too matchy-matchy, but, on the contrary, don't go overboard! All of your fixtures, hardware, appliances and accent pieces don't need to match, however, they need to be carefully executed as to not look out of place.
Create a Colored Accent Wall
Although you may appreciate a bright or bold colored accent wall, this could leave a bad impression with a potential buyer. They might not agree with your choice of color. The best way to avoid this? Keeping a neutral, light color palette throughout your home. You can add pops of color with your throw pillows, artwork or decor items. Having everything neutral gives the buyer the option to change what they want overtime without worrying that they'll be living in a lime green bathroom (which could be a deal-breaker!)
Are you a homeowner or an agent working on preparing a home for sale? Contact us for a free pricing estimate on professional staging.
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